Merit Mondays

Oh look more alliteration. But just like yesterday’s was fitting, so is today’s. I hope that sentence made sense. I am running on little sleep, which I think is just par for the course.

So what’s this “Merit Monday” crap about? Well, two things: on the football side of things you have new polls coming out and they’re divided over who is clinching the top spot, and on the basketball side, you have media polls bursting forth like so many geysers.

Let’s start with football (don’t look at me like that. It’s still football season and isn’t it nice to save the best for last? Yeah, I thought so). For the first time this season, Florida is no longer a unanimous number one. While the BCS and USA Today polls have them up top per usual, the AP Top 25 has Alabama towering over the rest of the college football world. I think this week will answer a lot of questions about who should be on top. Florida has not been playing convincingly since the UK game, and I wonder if Tebow’s concussion had something to do with it. Alabama hasn’t been the huge, destructive wrecking ball Florida has, but they’ve been consistently good, dismantling opponents efficiently and with skill. This week, Florida should have a total cake walk with Mississippi State. Alabama will meet Tennessee, and given how Kiffin’s team has been doing, I don’t foresee the Tide having a huge issue. I doubt we’ll see an upset (if we do, that’ll make the number one pick obvious), so I think it’ll all come down to how Florida and Alabama play.

Sounds good? Yeah, I can’t wait for Saturday. I love the start of the season because there is so much hope. Now, we’re in a part where teams really start coming into their own. Things are getting sorted out. It’s exhilarating. And on that note, I’m sure you’ve noticed that non-BCS conference Boise State is ranked number 4! I can’t analyze that here, but I’ll try to throw some links out there for you.

Moving on the basketball (my personal favorite, if it weren’t obvious enough). Media polls are rolling out, and well, this is my blog, so I’m just covering the SEC. Patrick Patterson was voted SEC Player of the Year.  Kentucky was voted SEC Champion (and it wasn’t even close, y’all. It’s awesome to be seeing so much positive attention around the program again). To see the whole list, just click that link right up there. A couple of surprises – Florida was voted 5th in the east and John Wall made the second team. Florida has fallen and fallen hard since it’s glory years, just a short while back. I don’t know if that’s an unduly harsh ranking. I mean, Vanderbilt at 3 seems a bit high, even if Ogilvy is back, so I’m not sold on the whole list. In a similar vein, I’m surprised to see LSU at 4 in the West.

As for John Wall, I’m surprised for two reasons: 1. all of the hype around him suggests that he could make first team, but 2. he hasn’t played a college game yet. While I’m certain he’ll be a superstar in college, it does seem a little weird to put a guy whose never played a college game up high on that list. Gary Parrish is certainly upset about Wall’s omission from the first team. I can’t share that sentiment, but  I can share the excitement over seeing a phenomenal player actually hit the court.

Two weeks til BASKETBALL!

Sunday Snooze

Hey, after not writing here for about a month, I’m back. As some of you know, I’m in school and the quarter started about two or so weeks ago. I’ve been very busy with that and figuring some stuff out as to the direction of this blog. So I’m trying this new thing. We’ll see how it works. Feedback would be nice, but I’m guessing that after a few weeks without an update, I’ve probably lost any regular readers I might have had.

So today is Sunday – time for the NFL and catching up with the last bit of laziness you can manage before the start of the week. If you have  a moment, check out my summary of the college games yesterday over at The Phoenix Pub (see if you click that, it sends you right over – nifty, right?).  I’m off to work – I tried yesterday, but the excitement of Big Blue Madness coupled with the EPIC win over Auburn left me to stoked to focus.

Labor Day college sports round up

Hopefully y’all are having a great weekend full of football and barbecue. I’m getting ready for a move so in between football and nachos, I’m packing things up and getting this place all tidied up. This has been an eventful weekend, and I’m still full of vigor thanks to the start of the season. So what’s been happening?

SEC Players of the Week

Great news of Kentucky fans: the SEC released it’s player of the week list and Trevard Lindley was named the defensive player of the week. Congratualtions to Lindley, a two-star recruit out of high school, whose stepped up in a big way under Rich Brooks. Also congratulations to Alabama’s Mark Ingram – he was named offensive player of the week which was utterly unsuprising. Ingram had the game of his life against the Hokies and he really let people know that they Tide wasn’t just going to roll over on any games this season.

McAdoo’s Choice

In UK basketball recruiting news – James McAdoo has chosen UNC over all the other schools he was looking that. He’s going to be a Tarheel. Good choice by the junior power forward. I heard he was visiting on alumni weekend, you know, the weekend that draws the likes of Michael Jordan, and I can imagine that being there really helped seal the deal.

Isiah Thomas Renegs on Renegging

It looks like FIU will actually play UNC after all. That’s a good move for Isiah Thomas because dropping out of a CHARITY event because of a difficult opponent comes across as petulant and awful. Furthermore, playing the defending national champions will bring attention to FIU no matter what, and any attention, even if the team loses (which they will) is better than being totally ignored. Thomas, or someone who has some sway over his actions, must have seen the error of his ways.

Memphis Meltdown

Memphis is appealing the NCAA’s decision to vacate the historic 2007-2008 season (38 wins, y’all). They are not appealing any of the other punishments handed down by the NCAA, which is probably for the best. I doubt that anything will come of this – the NCAA isn’t big on having their rulings reversed, but I guess anything is possible (maybe), so we’ll just have to follow this story until it’s completely dead (hopefully soon). Selfishly, I want Memphis to win the appeal, just so I don’t have to hear any more idiotic Cal jokes or defend him to ignoramuses who barely even follow college basketball.

Bradford Bust-up

There is still no time table for when Sam Bradford will return. According to OK coach Bob Stoops, Bradford has a grade 2 or 3 sprain, either of which sounds pretty serious. Along those same lines, OK doesn’t know when Jermaine Gersham (you know, one of those players who chooses to put off pro careers so that they can make their legacy in college) will be back from a knee injury. Colt McCoy is praying for Bradford, and I’m guessing the whole Schooner Squad will be, too, especially if they wish to continue posing a Big (12) threat.

Punch Heard ‘Round the World

I’ve written enough about the Oregon player punching the player from Boise State, but if you want to read something in addition to that on the topic, try here and here.

Wildcats start off the season strong

I’ve been watching football all day and I still haven’t gotten rid of the smile I got when I finally got to see the Wildcats play. After waiting for this day ever since bastketball season ended, it was a sweet, sweet game. UK looked a bit shakey in the first quarter, looking for their footing and trying to make something happen. By the second quarter UK was geared up. Mike Hartline looks like the Hartline that we saw in the Liberty Bowl. He is significantly improved from last season – he had 222 yards and 2 touchdowns, leading the Cats over Miami. Randall Cobb is a complete beast. He’s an unstoppable twinkle-toes, zipping around the defense, and managing to be right where Hartline needs him. Chris Matthews was also invaluable, and Moncell Allen and Derrick Locke led in rushing. The team looks like they are full of fire, and hopefully all the pieces will work this well in the upcoming weeks. UK has now won 15 straight non-conference games, an absolutely phenomenal streak. Rich Brooks has done a terrific job with the team.

Great game – I can’t wait to see another. GO CATS.

It’s here it’s here it’s here!!

Tonight, college football starts its 2009 season. I am so excited I can barely contain myself. My house is filled to the brim with soda, beer, and snacks. I am so ready.

But before we get too deep into football, let’s touch on UK basketball. First, it looks like John Calipari has given Obama a signed UK #44 jersery. Personally, I think this is really awesome. No, I don’t think the President will wear it and no I don’t think that this is some weird political message. Here’s what it is – the PRESIDENT of our country has a UK jersey. That is a nice deal. And, if what people say is true, and UNC is using pictures of Obama with the team in the recruitment, then, well, then I’m stoked that UK has something similar to throw out there, too.

Oh, and if you’re still there, go ahead and read Matt Jones’s impressions from his time watching the team practice. It gave me chills, straight up. My only criticism – why did he have to write it now when college basketball is still so far away?!

Right, well on to football.

First, some levity. I’m in my early-mid twenties and now’s the time when my friends are beginning to hear the seductive song of cupid, wafting down upon them, driving them into the sticky, cloying arms of commitment. After hearing so much wedding talk, I’m glad to read that Clay Travis has some real perspective on the issue. If it comes to choosing between celebrating the fact that my friend found love and watching UK play…welll, it’s a tough call.

Second, the games start tonight. Are you ready? Here’s what’s on the docket:

1. South Carolina @ NC State – I think Steve Spurrier can pull this one off. It’d be great for the Cocks and the SEC if they can start off with a win.

2. Troy @ Bowling Green – Have to say Troy on this one since they have to potential to be one of the most promising non-BCS programs.

3. Villanova @ Temple – This could be a good game – Temple is middle of the pack in the MAC, while Villanova stays strong in the CAA. I’ll put my money on ‘nova, but nothing will surprise me here.

4. Coastal Carolina @ Kent State – Kent State’s the better program, and I see them coming up on top.

5. North Texas @ Ball State – Ball State led the MAC last year and  I don’t see them falling to a team that scraped the bottom of the Sun Belt.

6. North Dakota @ Iowa State – North Dakota, especially since Iowa State has to adjust to a new coach.

7. Eastern Kentucky @ Indiana – Indiana, even coming off a poor year, should be able to handle EKU, a dominant force in the Ohio Valley Conference, but weak overall.

8. Utah State @ Utah – Utah. Even though Utah State will be fired up, Utah is bringing in team members and a coach who went undefeated last season.

9. Oregon @ Boise State – This is the game to watch. Folks, if you only watch one game tonight, make it this one. Both teams are ranked (16 and 14 respectively). I’m going with Boise State on this one. Both programs are strong, but Boise has more on the line and an overall better team.

Woo-hoo! Just 2.5 more hours until it begins.

Pitino hires Teague’s coach

So it turns out the Rick Pitino has done another shady thing – Louisville has hired Pike assistant coach Shabaka Lands. Lands will be a “special assistant” to Rick Pitino. Why is this shady? Well, Lands coached Marquis Teague, one of the top prospects who was a strong Louisville lean before opening up his recruitment: he is now looking at IU, UK, Purdue, Ohio State, Wake Forest and Cincy. He’s incredibly talented, and looks likely to be a big contributor when he hits the courts in college, so I understand the desire to get him to commit.

I know that Pitino isn’t the first or only coach to do this, or the only one, or anything like that.  But it still rubs me the wrong way. It seems like an inappropriate way to gain a kid’s interest, and I don’t believe that it has absolutely nothing to do with recruiting. After all, “special assistant”? The timing? If it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, it’s pretty likely that it’s actually a duck.

I don’t understand why the NCAA is so uptight about putting things on bagels, but they don’t review and rewrite the section on “inappropriate benefits”. Recruiting a player’s coach for a job, or his siblings/cousins for the team seems like a really underhanded and inappropriate way to get a commit. And, it puts undue pressure on the player – he now isn’t choosing just for himself, but for everyone involved with him. It’s a weird situation to put a 17/18 year old kid.

I defend the NCAA and college sports a lot, but these types of situations try my patience more than anything else. If you have any great insights into this whole deal, let me know. There has to be something I’m just not getting.

Tuesday’s links

Bunch of links, an uncertain amount of news.

1. SportingNews has a great interview with Darius Miller. He seems hopeful and excited for a new season. I guess that’s to be expected, but it’s still a pleasant read.

2. Oh look, Ricky Rubio is creating even more drama for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, his former club DKV Joventut has traded him to FC Barcelona, so he won’t be playing in the states until 2011. I’m only upset about this because I think that ultimately he’ll be one of the biggest busts of the draft and I want to see that sooner rather than later.

3. Gregg Doyel writes about the Gillispie situation. Billy G was found driving drunk in Anderson County last week. The police officier claimined Billy G has a fruity scent. Now, Billy G has pled not guilty to charges of drunk driving. I agree with Doyel – on the one hand, Billy G is incredibly lucky this didn’t happen before Pitino and Memphis, but on the other Billy G will have a really hard time finding a job ever again. Three DUIs and suing your employer just look bad.

4. Sonny Vaccaro doesn’t like the NCAA and he makes it known that college basketball is not even remotely about “college” when it comes to recruiting. The big sell – NBA potential. I’m still working out how I feel about it. I value education strongly, but I don’t think that it’s for everyone. College provides opportunities in the form of classes, jobs, extra-curriculars and internships. Being an athlete might fit in with that.

5. Rich Rodriguez spoke out against allegations that he’s overworked his players. After members of the 2008 and 2009 teams came to the local newspaper and spoke under the condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions, all hell broke loose. Rodriguez doesn’t want to be painted like Gillispie – a wonder until he takes the reigns at a storied program where he drives the program into the ground and breaks the souls of the players. Michigan had a losing season and missed a bowl game for the first time in 34 years. That’s really bad news. Now with these allegations, Rodriguez has to worry about losing control of the program.

Michigan troubles, Calipari keeps it posi

My obligatory UK news – Coach Cal had more positivity and excitement about the upcoming basketball season. He encourages the players to dream big and set big goals for themselves. He commented that the returning players seemed a little beat down (gee, I wouldn’t have expected that after 2 years of Gillispie madness). He was stoked on his book. Thrilling, thrilling stuff. Check it out if you want a light read on this hot Sunday.

SEC news – Nick Saban has signed a deal to coach the Tide until 2017. That is a long time. He’s done a great job so far, so I can see why they’d want to hang onto him.

And in other college football news: Michigan football players, under the condition that their anonymity would be preserved,  went to the media with allegations that Michigan was working the players for longer than the NCAA says is kosher. That’s right, the student athletes reported a violation. Many NCAA violations focus on cheating or misbehavior on the part of the athlete, so it’s weird to have it turned around. The limits on practices are there to 1. protect the students from being overworked and allow them time to focus on school, and 2. to prevent a program from gaining an unfair advantage. This whole situation is outside of the norm, and it’ll be interesting to see what the NCAA uncovers.

Just a head’s up

I have a post up on college football, the BCS and bowl games over at the Phoenix Pub. Go check it out.

Football shake ups, basketball scraps

If any of you get Time Magazine, go ahead and skip the 10 Questions with Andy Roddick. The guy comes across like a pompous ass.

Onward:

1. Football is blowing up in Utah. BYU and Utah are both found in the AP Top 25 and the USA Today Poll. Football there is growing in popularity, and the explosion of two programs allows for the creation and expansion of a rivalry. Nothing like an in-state rival to boost team spirit and ticket sales (just look at the Duke UNC game, Florida and Florida State, Kentucky and Louisville, Memphis and Tennessee, etc etc etc…and yes I realize some of these are more basketball than football, but that’s where my mind is right now).

2. The Alamo Bowl is getting an upgrade. It currently matches the 4/5 team from the Big Ten with the 4/5 team from the Big Twelve, but starting in 2010, it’ll match the 2 team from the Pac-Ten with…well, that part is still in negotiations, but the Alamo Bowl is talking to the Big 12 to put up the other half of that match up. While it’ll mean more travel for Pac-10 fans (San Antonio is a ways away from San Diego), this should be a great match up.

3. Pittsburgh has a bit of a worry on its hands: forward Gilbert Brown has been suspended from games this fall due to academic issues. He will be eligible to play again December 20. Brown played a large role last season, and it’ll be interesting to see how Pitt adapts to no longer having him on the roster.

4. SEC, and especially UK, fans – if you want to read a fairly interesting and often times very exciting preview of the upcoming basketball season, check this out. After reading that, and hearing all summer how great Wall and Bledsoe are, I am even more pumped for the season to start.